My favourite photos of elephants: Nature’s gentle giants
Photos of elephants can be many things at once: a portrait of power, a study of behaviour, or a quiet observation of family life. They are animals that command attention not just because of their size, but because of their presence.
For those seeking to capture pictures of African elephants or Indian elephants, a photography safari offers incredible opportunities.
We regularly see herds of elephants on our safari tours. Whether it’s a lone bull moving through the dust, a group making its way to water, or a calf reaching out for reassurance from its mother, every elephant encounter is special.
Asian and African elephants
The African elephant is the world’s largest land mammal, with bulls reaching up to 4 metres tall and weighing over six tonnes. Their counterpart, the Asian elephant, is smaller, with bulls typically reaching around 3 metres in height and weighing up to 5 tonnes.
African elephants’ habitats range from the open savannas of Amboseli, where they roam vast, grassy plains under the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the woodlands and riverine forests of parks like Kruger and Chobe. Asian elephants roam the open plains and grasslands of Bandhavgarh and the dense forests of Kaziranga.
Each environment offers something different in terms of atmosphere and photographic challenge.
Related: Discover the wildlife of India
An Asian elephant family group
Despite their impressive size, elephants are remarkably agile and gentle in appearance. Gentle giants, they are led by an experienced female and are most often seen moving calmly in their matriarchal family groups.
African elephant photos
Watching elephant interactions offers endless photographic opportunities, and it’s always a pleasure to observe and photograph their social behaviours and daily routines.
On safari, we often get to witness tender moments between mothers and calves, and occasionally some playful sparring between young bulls, too.
Photographing elephants on safari
Photographing elephants in the wild is both rewarding and humbling. The key is always respect: keep your distance, stay quiet, and let the elephants set the pace. Safari guides will always prioritise the animals’ comfort, and you should too.
When you’re patient, you begin to notice the subtler details, such as the way elephants use their trunks not just for feeding but for communication, the low rumbles that pass between them, and the way dust baths or mud wallows turn into family events.
Capturing these moments often produces the most meaningful images of elephants.
A favourite elephant portrait
This African elephant photo, ‘Matriarchal’, is a portrait I took in 2010. This was long before today's relative commonality of ground-level elephant pictures.
15 years ago, there were no sideless vehicles or flip-out screens, so the only option really was to hang a camera upside down out of a vehicle window using a monopod and hope for the best.
There was no means of seeing what we were taking, so composing was hit or miss unless you used a wide-angle lens and even then, it was still so. Moving subjects were more difficult to do because you had to prefocus. At first, I captured mostly sky or grass, but I soon got better at aiming in the right direction with some practice.
This is one picture where I've never been able to decide which I prefer, the black and white or the colour one. Here it is in colour. Visit this Instagram post to see the colour and black and white versions together, and why not comment there to let me know which you prefer?
This elephant photograph remains a favourite of mine because it represents both the challenge and the reward of working in the field.
Elephant portraits taken at ground level create an entirely different perspective, emphasising their size and presence. Today, with better technology and adapted safari vehicles, the process is easier, but the essence of the image still comes down to patience, timing, and respect for the animal in front of you.
Elephants walking in Amboseli
Throughout this article, I’ve shared photos of elephants that are special to me, each for their own reasons. It would not be right to miss out this image of elephants walking, which is also among my most favourite elephant images: Amboseli Crossing.
Amboseli Crossing by David Lloyd
Elephant portraits: Black & white or colour?
When it comes to elephant photography, I think both approaches have their merits.
Colour brings out the warm tones of the savanna and the texture of elephant skin against its natural surroundings. Black and white, however, strips the image down to its essentials—form, texture, and light—creating a timeless portrait.
Elephant portraits in black and white often make striking fine art prints, while colour images bring to life the vibrancy of Africa. In truth, there’s no right answer, only personal preference. What’s yours?
My view is that whatever the final colour treatment, the best images of African animals are not just photographic records of the animal, or in this case, the elephant encounter, but reflections of the animal’s character and presence.
Photos of elephants can capture their strength, their vulnerability, or their quiet dignity.
Why elephant photos matter
In the wild, the elephants’ survival is under constant threat from poaching and habitat loss. Every elephant picture, whether a dramatic image of a Tusker elephant on the plains or a close-up portrait, is also a reminder of what we stand to lose.
If you’d like to see more elephant images, I invite you to explore my collection of elephant fine art prints.
David